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ProductsBeverages

SWRL Brings Makgeolli Seltzer to the US

Cloudy, rice-fermented hard seltzer challenges category norms with texture, ritual and flavor depth

By Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
Swrl Makgeolli Seltzer bottles
IMAGE COURTESY OF: Swrl
January 14, 2026

SWRL, a Makgeolli seltzer, officially launched in the US, introducing Korea's iconic cloudy rice wine to the hard seltzer aisle.

At 3.7% ABV, zero sugar, and just 89 calories, SWRL offers a lighter way to drink—without stripping away texture or character. Instead of chasing the ultra-clear, the brand introduced a softly cloudy, rice-fermented alternative built around flavor, mouthfeel and a signature "swirl-to-sip" ritual.

For years, hard seltzer has been defined by clarity: crystal clear liquid, clean but artificial profiles, and near-identical drinking experiences. But as the category matures, consumers are seeking beyond interchangeable bubbles. They want flavor depth, sensory texture, and drinks that feel intentional rather than industrial. SWRL enters at this inflection point, offering a new category rooted in fermentation and rice.

In the glass—or rather, the can—SWRL delivers a mouthfeel closer to a pet-nat (pétillant naturel) wine than a standard seltzer. Once swirled, the rice sediment blends into a creamy, silky fizz with a gentle tang, reminiscent of kombucha but softer and rounder. The bubbles stay delicate, allowing the cloudy body and rice character to lead rather than disappear.

Product details:

- Original: Delicately rice-forward with subtle natural sweetness and a smooth, creamy finish.
- Yuzu & Pine Needles: Opens with bright citrus and a crisp herbal note, finishing clean with a resinous pine edge.
- Earl Grey: Layers bergamot aromatics with a gentle fermented grip, evoking a tea-like complexity with a cloudy twist.
- Mixed Cherries: Starts juicy and tart, then settles into a plush rice note that prevents the fruit from veering into cloying sweetness.
- 3.7% ABV
- 89 calories- zero sugar
- gluten-free & vegan

Availability SWRL is now available at select retailers across New York City and for online shipping to 40 states via sipswrl.com.

KEYWORDS: alcoholic beverage gluten-free hard seltzer Korean cuisine zero sugar

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